Note: To make fresh breadcrumbs, use stale bread (country or ciabatta loaves are best) and tear it into chunks. Place in food processor and proceed to make large flakes. Panko crumbs are larger and lighter than regular dry crumbs. Find fish sauce in the Asian section of your supermarket. From “The New Midwestern Table,” by Amy Thielen.

Add meatballs to sauce and cook, stirring often, over medium-high heat until meatballs are glazed with sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. (At this point you can keep meatballs warm in a slow cooker.) As appetizers, serve on toothpicks. Or serve atop rice for an entree.